HAWTHORN ruckman Ben McEvoy is in as good a shape as ever heading into another pre-season.

The premiership big man recorded an impressive result in Hawthorn’s first time trial of the pre-season on Wednesday morning, finishing third behind Isaac Smith and Billy Hartung.

McEvoy impressed the Hawks with his endurance when he joined the Hawks at the end of last year but the ruckman says his fitness is even better now.

“I think my endurance has improved,” McEvoy told hawthornfc.com.au

“I was in good shape last year but I think I’m running better again.

“It’s what the game demands – you just have to keep improving all the time.”

McEvoy’s time trial result came following a strict off-season from the ruckman, who kept his premiership celebrations to a minimum by keeping to a strict diet and exercising regularly.

He followed the off-season fitness program the Club’s strength and conditioning team set and is now seeing the benefits.

“Improving your endurance is a combination of all the little bits and pieces you can do,” he explained.

“I was really good with my diet over the break so I’m not carrying any excess weight that I don’t need and I stuck to the (training) program.

“The guys put together a really good program so that’s really all you can do and work hard at that and hopefully it pays off.”

But McEvoy, who played 13 games in his first season with the Hawks after crossing from St Kilda isn’t the only one to impress so far this pre-season.

With the full squad now a week into pre-season training, McEvoy says the boys are in good shape.

“Training is going pretty well,” he said.

“It’s always tough the first couple of days before you get back into the rhythm of it.

“It’s going well though, all the boys are up and about and in good shape.”